Agnostic in-line verification system for finishing RFID-enabled tags

Abstract

An agnostic in-line verification system and method produce finished RFID-enabled tags including labels, tags, tickets, stickers and the like. Includes is an RFID-verification base unit with an RFID-verifier that checks for verification of programmed data of the RFID-enabled tags. A feed module is positioned upstream of the RFID-verification base to receive a flow of RFID-enabled tags to be finished through RFID verification, and a collector module is downstream of the RFID-verification base unit and that receives RFID-verified tags from the RFID-verification base unit. In systems that feed a continuous stream of uncut tags, a cutter module is positioned between the verification base unit and the collector module.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An agnostic in-line verification system to produce finished RFID-enabled tags including labels, tags, tickets, stickers and the like, the system comprising:
 an RFID-verification base unit comprising an RFID-verifier that confirms verification of programmed data of the RFID-enabled tags; 
 a feed module upstream of the RFID-verification base that receives from a source of RFID-enabled tags a flow of RFID-enabled tags to be finished through RFID verification; and 
 a collector module disposed downstream of the RFID-verification base unit and that receives RFID-verified tags from the RFID-verification base unit, wherein the collector module comprises a stacker configured to move downwards for accumulating the RFID-verified tags. 
 
     
     
       2. The system in accordance with  claim 1 , further including a cutter module downstream of the RFID-verification base unit and upstream of the collector module, the cutter module separating RFID-verified tags from the RFID-verification base unit. 
     
     
       3. The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the feed module includes a roll-to-roll service loop that presents the RFID-enabled tags to the RFID-verification base unit in order to accommodate movement of the RFID-enabled tags through the RFID-verification base unit. 
     
     
       4. The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the feed module includes a leading pre-feed conveyor that presents the RFID-enabled tags to the RFID-verification base unit. 
     
     
       5. The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a single-feed nip is positioned between the RFID verification base unit and the collector module. 
     
     
       6. The system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the cutter module includes a rotary cutter. 
     
     
       7. The system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the cutter module includes a linear cutter. 
     
     
       8. The system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the cutter module includes a double cutter that severs the RFID tags at two locations thereon. 
     
     
       9. The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the RFID-verification base unit includes a scanner for reading identification indicia of the RFID-tags, an RFID verifier, and a bad-label marking applicator. 
     
     
       10. The system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the identification indicia is a barcode-type of indicia. 
     
     
       11. The system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the RFID-verification base further includes a registration sensor at an interface between the feed module and the RFID-verification based unit. 
     
     
       12. The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the RFID-enabled tags are pre-printed on a printer upstream of and in-line with the feed module. 
     
     
       13. An agnostic in-line verification system to produce finished RFID-enabled tags including labels, tags, tickets, stickers and the like, the system comprising:
 an RFID-verification base unit that includes an RFID-verifier that checks for verification of programmed data of the RFID-enabled tags; 
 a feed module upstream of the RFID-verification base that receives from a source of RFID-enabled tags a flow of RFID-enabled tags to be finished through RFID verification, the feed module including a roll-to-roll service loop that presents the RFID-enabled tags to the RFID-verification base unit allowing for accumulation of RFID-enabled tags in order to accommodate movement of the RFID-enabled tags through the RFID-verification base unit; 
 a cutter module downstream of the RFID-verification bae unit and upstream of the collector module, the cutter module separating RFID-verified tags from the RFID-verification base unit; and 
 a collector module downstream of the RFID-verification base unit and that receives RFID-verified tags from the RFID-verification base unit, wherein the collector module comprises a stacker configured to move downwards for accumulating the RFID-verified tags. 
 
     
     
       14. The system in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the cutter module is selected from the group consisting of a linear cutter, a double cutter that severs the RFID tags at two locations thereon, and a rotary cutter. 
     
     
       15. The system in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the RFID-verification base unit includes a scanner for reading identification indicia of the RFID-tags, an RFID verifier, and a bad-label marking applicator. 
     
     
       16. The system in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the RFID-verification base further includes a registration sensor at an interface between the feed module and the RFID-verification based unit. 
     
     
       17. An agnostic in-line verification system to produce finished RFID-enabled tags including labels, tags, tickets, stickers and the like, the system comprising:
 an RFID-verification base unit that includes an RFID-verifier that checks for verification of programmed data of the RFID-enabled tags; 
 a feed module upstream of the RFID-verification base that receives from a source of RFID-enabled tags a flow of RFID-enabled tags to be finished through RFID verification, the feed module including a leading pre-feed conveyor that presents the RFID-enabled tags to the RFID-verification base unit; 
 a collector module downstream of the RFID-verification base unit and that receives RFID-verified tags from the RFID-verification base unit, wherein the collector module comprises a stacker configured to move downwards for accumulating the RFID-verified tags; and 
 a single-feed nip is positioned between the RFID verification base unit and the collector module. 
 
     
     
       18. The system in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the RFID-verification base unit includes a scanner for reading identification indicia of the RFID-tags, an RFID verifier, and a bad-label marking applicator. 
     
     
       19. The system in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the RFID-verification base further includes a registration sensor at an interface between the feed module and the RFID-verification based unit. 
     
     
       20. The system in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the RFID-enabled tags are pre-printed on a printer upstream of and in-line with the feed module. 
     
     
       21. The system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein a single-feed nip is positioned between the RFID verification base unit and the collector module.